Like most supporters manager Neil Cugley was still trying to get his breath back as he summed up Invicta’s excellent 3-2 win after an incredibly open and exciting game at Tonbridge on Monday.
And following two games in temperatures in the upper 20s, Neil said: “There were a lot of goals about on Monday and I think there were a lot of tired players out there after the heat of the weekend.
“Their centre backs looked a bit weary and Ade (Yusuff) did a terrific job of putting them under pressure virtually all game long.
“Even when we went in 2-1 down at half-time I was fairly confident we’d get something out of the game – it could’ve been eight-all if we’re honest!
“It’s always nice to beat them. They’re quite a big club and often get players we rarely get.
“It was a lovely day in many ways – our supporters were quite outstanding again and out-sung the home fans all game long.
“To be fair, I thought we played fairly well on Saturday too” he added, reflecting on the 2-0 home defeat by Needham Market.
“Their manager couldn’t quite believe how they’d won it, but that’s three times out of three they’ve beaten us – they seem to have a little of a hold over us. We’ll have to try to do something about that when we go up there.”
Folkestone now turn their attention to this coming weekend’s Emirate FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round tie at the Fullicks Stadium when highly ambitious Greenwich Borough are the visitors.
“They’ll be a tough nut to beat” admitted Cugs. “With the money they’ve got behind them it won’t be like playing any other Ryman South team.
“They’re trying to go right through the leagues and are still disappointed not to have come up to the Premier via the play-offs last season. But we should be even stronger on Saturday and we’d love a cup run.”
Joe Taylor, who damaged a knee in a pre-season game virtually a month ago now looks almost certain to be back in the squad, at least, for the cup tie.
“Joe could’ve gone on the bench at Tonbridge if we’d needed him to and is itching to get playing again” added the boss.
Barring the need for a replay with Greenwich, Folkestone are due to visit Hythe in the Kent Senior Cup next Tuesday (September 5).
Loan signing Finn O’Mara did well on his full Folkestone debut at Longmead and Cugs said: “We’ve not really talked to Gillingham about him playing in one or both the two cup ties, we’ll have to see what they say. If not it gives someone else a chance.”
Borough boss Gary Alexander has added half a dozen players to his squad from last season, including Welling midfielders Ali Fuseini and Sam Corne only last week.
Their 4-1 victory over Three Bridges in the Preliminary Round was followed by a 4-1 Kent Senior Cup away to Ramsgate and two league successes over the holiday weekend.
On Saturday, Borough were 2-1 winners on Guernsey thanks to strikes by the well-travelled Charlie MacDonald and Travis Gregory and on Monday they overcame north Kent rivals Phoenix Sports 3-0 with a goal in each half from prolific ex-Margate midfielder Jack Sammoutis and one by wide man Kaka Dembele.
Boro had vastly experienced ex-Millwall, Brentford and AFC Wimbledon centre back Mark Phillips sent off 15 minutes from time against Phoenix but while that red card would keep him out of any replay (next Tuesday), he is still eligible to play on Saturday.
Their two wins in the league last weekend have taken them up to ninth in the table with seven points from four games.
As mentioned earlier, if there is a definite outcome on Saturday, Folkestone will play Hythe in the Kent Senior Cup at Reachfields on Tuesday.